LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERSSTORM OF THE CENTURY HITS FLORIDA
Oct. 21, 2024
Level: Upper-Intermediate (B2-C1)
Type of English: General English
Tags: Environment and Nature; Weather and Climate; Geographical Features; People and Places; Countries; Health and Well-being; Breaking News; Challenges; Speaking; Video Talk; Useful Vocabulary; Nature; 16-18 Years Old; 18+ Years Old
Publication date: 10/21/2024
A breaking news lesson about Hurricane Milton hitting Florida, with a report focusing on the news story, and a second listening activity going into further detail on the topic. Students will learn related vocabulary, practice reading and listening skills and reinforce their new vocabulary with conversation practice. (by David J Marriott)
- CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English.
- CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English.
- CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in American English.
- CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English.
- CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English.
- CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in British English.
- CLICK HERE to download/watch the video (MP4).
AUDIO TRANSCRIPT
Newsreader: Hurricane Milton has slammed into Florida’s west coast, leaving over three million homes without power and causing at least sixteen deaths.
The hurricane, which was described by President Joe Biden as “the storm of the century”, made landfall near Sarasota, but more heavily populated areas, such as Tampa and St. Petersburg were largely spared.
Scientists had feared that the hurricane would cause a deadly surge, but the storm weakened as it neared the southern US state. Nevertheless, widespread destruction has been reported, with one hundred and twenty-five homes destroyed by tornadoes and flooding.
Forecasters had predicted that waves up to thirteen feet tall could batter coastal regions, but Sarasota reportedly saw seawater rising between eight to ten feet.
Prior to the hurricane’s arrival, mandatory evacuation orders were put in place. Residents were strongly discouraged from staying put, with Jane Castor, mayor of Tampa, warning that those who remained would find their homes becoming their coffins.
Milton is the second hurricane to strike Florida in two weeks, with Hurricane Helene rampaging through the region in September.
Although striking images and video clips of both hurricanes have been shared online, conspiracy theorists have questioned whether the storms actually took place, with some even accusing the government of somehow creating the hurricanes.
Meteorologists in the US have reported receiving death threats, with some far-right claiming that the government “can control the weather”. Meanwhile, Russia has shared AI-generated images purporting to show the hurricane destroying Disney World, as misinformation runs rampant online.
In Florida, relief work is underway, led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA agents have also been subject to abuse online based on claims that the government’s response to Hurricane Helene was insufficient.
Helene killed at least two hundred people across six states, making it the deadliest storm to hit mainland USA since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which caused catastrophic damage to the city of New Orleans.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Carl Quintanilla: Jim mentions, uh, the hurricane, of course, a serious situation as Milton makes landfall last night as a Cat 3, near Siesta Key, Florida – that’s a barrier island next to Sarasota.
At this point, more than three million customers are without electricity – that was about seven AM this morning. NBC’s Stephanie Gosk is in St. Petersburg, right outside Tropicana Field which made its own news last night. Stephanie, good morning.
Stephanie Gosk: Good morning, it certainly did make its own news, and I don’t even have to tell you what that news is – you can just see it over my shoulder. The roof blew off. The roof was made of fiberglass, and it basically just couldn’t withstand the wind.
The highest gust here in St. Petersburg was one hundred and one, it hit around ten thirty last night, and that roof – according to information from the Rays, could withstand one hundred and fifteen.
Now, just a few days ago, Governor Ron DeSantis had said that this stadium was going to be used as a staging area for upwards of ten thousand relief workers and various crews that were going to pick up debris, but in a press conference that he just gave he said that they realized that the storm was going to be bigger, the winds were going to be stronger and that this facility wasn’t actually going to be able to withstand it, and the roof was going to be the problem.
So, they moved people out of here. Now there were some people – essential people for the stadium who were in the building last night. The fire department here in St. Petersburg told us that they’re all accounted for, they’re safe, um, but they did have to hide in corridors. You can imagine it would be quite a sight.
I spoke to a guy who lives right across the street, he watched it all take place. He said the sound was “wild” and “pretty terrifying”, Carl.
Carl Quintanilla: Stephanie, appreciate that very much, it was some amazing pictures, of course. One of those storms, Stephanie, that brought us the wind and the storm surge and the tornadoes, and the flooding. That’s our Stephanie Gosk from NBC.
Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/general-english/storm-of-the-century-hits-florida. Accessed on October 21, 2024. © 2008–2024 LinguaHouse.com. All rights reserved.
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